Lionel Cab3 App now available.

@Maxandy posted:

@Norm I'm kinda new to all of this...When I entered(2023) the hobby(love it) I immediatly thought the Base3 was an IoT device. I was expecting Internet access and a developer SDK to allow me to run wild and build my own. I dont know the business model for Lionel and MTH but i wonder if the hobby would expand and revenue would increase if they opened it up.

The LCS Partner Program would give you the protocols. You just have to email me to sign up. TMCC and Legacy protocols are open, and the LCSPP gives all LCS protocols, including Wi-Fi.

@Dave - Thanks Dave. email request on the way.

I was just at the Lionel store and the shipping date is gone from the Base3, if I remember correctly that means they have them in hand.  Correct or not?

@Reading RR posted:

I was just at the Lionel store and the shipping date is gone from the Base3, if I remember correctly that means they have them in hand.  Correct or not?

@Dave Olson posted:

Woo hoo!

Looks like they took up the whole container!

@Reading RR posted:

I was just at the Lionel store and the shipping date is gone from the Base3, if I remember correctly that means they have them in hand.  Correct or not?

Dave's going to need bigger hands to hold all those

Thanks Dave, we have a winner, chicken dinner.  Or should I say Base 3 dinner.

Thanks for the photo Dave.

I waited a long time for my Strasburg hybrid and it was worth the wait.

I am sure the Base 3 will also be worth the wait.

Cool! I really hope I pre-ordered early enough (DEC 2022) to get the first run! (Will the first run cover the pre-orders? hmm)

I ordered mine from Trainworld at the beginning of last December, so I probably won't get mine until the second run. Although, I could get mine sooner. I'm waiting for the email from Trainworld so I can finalize the order and make the payment.

Just wondering how the Base 3 will connect to existing Base 2 equipment? Or will it? Is it intended to replace all previous bases? What about the TMCC base 1? Thanks for any info.

@Rod Stewart posted:

Just wondering how the Base 3 will connect to existing Base 2 equipment? Or will it? Is it intended to replace all previous bases? What about the TMCC base 1? Thanks for any info.

It replaces all existing TMCC/Legacy command bases.  There was some discussion about using the original BASE1 with it, but I don't know if that's possible at this point.

@Rod Stewart posted:

Just wondering how the Base 3 will connect to existing Base 2 equipment? Or will it? Is it intended to replace all previous bases? What about the TMCC base 1? Thanks for any info.

The original TMCC base will connect using a SER2 on the PDI buss.

Everything using the PDI bus, you will lose the powered Y cord that is on the back of the Legacy base along with the Legacy Base and plug in the first LCS module directly into the back of the Base3.

The Cab2 will search for the Base3 like it does with the Legacy Base.  IMO if you are using a Cab2, you won't notice a difference until you start to add LC Radio and Bluetooth engines.  When I had the Base3 unit for the Legacy Virtual event last fall the Cab2 interface was seamless.

Check out this site for a lot of your answers.

Lionel Power and Control

@Rod Stewart posted:

Just wondering how the Base 3 will connect to existing Base 2 equipment? Or will it? Is it intended to replace all previous bases? What about the TMCC base 1? Thanks for any info.

check out the Lionel site dedicated to the BASE 3: https://control.lionel.com/

The Base 2 must be removed if you plan to use a Base 3. The TMCC Base can connect to the Base 3 but you'll need to make the connection through a SER2 on one of the Base 3 PDI ports.

H1000,

For future Ref. which cable ends on the cab2 Y cable go to the old TMCC base and the Ser2 board.  Not to seem stupid, but is the legacy base end plug into the serial 2 board connector. There's only 2 choices on that cable.

@Reading RR posted:

H1000,

For future Ref. which cable ends on the cab2 Y cable go to the old TMCC base and the Ser2 board.  Not to seem stupid, but is the legacy base end plug into the serial 2 board connector. There's only 2 choices on that cable.

This diagram from the BASE2 manual should help a bit:

Instead of the BASE2 in the above photo, the "Y" cable end will plug into the DB9 port on the SER2. The SER2 is then plugged into one of the PDI ports on the back of the BASE3.

I have three transformers running three separate loops of track. Looking at the Base3 hook up instructions pasted below, sounds like I should run 3 wires, one from the ground/U terminal of each of the three transformers and the other end of each wire all connected to the Track U post on the back of the Base3?

Just want to make sure I am reading this correctly.

Bradley

Get your engines running by following the instructions in the quick start guide.

1. Thread the external antenna onto the port on the back of the Base3.

2. Connect a wire to the TRACK U post on the back of the Base3. Connect the other end to the ground/U terminal of your AC transformer or the outside rails of your track.

Thanks H1000,

That's what I thought, just confirming.  Thanks a lot.

For Cab3(bluetooth) I dont see startup and shutdown commands. I assume that is via the upcoming Base3 or someone who already has the Legacy Controller.

@Maxandy posted:

For Cab3(bluetooth) I dont see startup and shutdown commands. I assume that is via the upcoming Base3 or someone who already has the Legacy Controller.

I don't think BT ever had startup/shutdown, so that makes sense.

Update to Cab3 app is available.  You can now search and add your base3.

Neal Jeter

Apple version only.  Android still showing 18 June as the upload date.  But almost here for us android based devices.   That means base 3's will be in our hands any day.

I am glad they updated the CAB3 apps with CAB3 features, so it is ready when we receive BASE3.   I updated it and look forward to using it when my BASE3 arrives.

Yep, I looked and the Android version was the original.

The Bluetooth side still has the glitches with missing buttons.

Pete

@Norton posted:

The Bluetooth side still has the glitches with missing buttons.

Pete

Try deleting and reinstalling the app Pete. My original download was missing fwd/rev when I first installed it.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Try deleting and reinstalling the app Pete. My original download was missing fwd/rev when I first installed it.

Bob

I did that, fwd/rev was there but the bell wasn’t. My experience is every time I bring it up something else is different. It still doesn’t allow me to swipe left and right, only up and down.

Pete

@Norton posted:

I did that, fwd/rev was there but the bell wasn’t. My experience is every time I bring it up something else is different. It still doesn’t allow me to swipe left and right, only up and down.

Pete

Dave mentioned that they expect bugs to pop up as more devices download the app.

There's a contact email at Lionel where you can report the issues.

What device are you using? I have a Samsung S 22 and it works fine.

Mine appears to have all the buttons and works with Bluetooth engines.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mine appears to have all the buttons and works with Bluetooth engines.

Even the Voice Streaming and Recording features?

@RSJB18 posted:

Dave mentioned that they expect bugs to pop up as more devices download the app.

There's a contact email at Lionel where you can report the issues.

What device are you using? I have a Samsung S 22 and it works fine.

IPad Gen7 and Gen9 iOS 16.6.1. Both behave the same.

Pete

@H1000 posted:

Even the Voice Streaming and Recording features?

I never tried those as I don't use them.

@Norton posted:

IPad Gen7 and Gen9 iOS 16.6.1. Both behave the same.

Pete

See? There's your problem......your devices start with "I".........

Not a Apple fan...... Both of my kids love them......can't say the same.

Oops. I posted on the other thread that your device may need to use Bluetooth5.

I believe Dave Olsen sad that was necessary for voice streaming.

I have an IPhone 15 pro.

All buttons work until I swipe right to adjust audio settings for an engine. When I return to the engine screen the crew talk button is blue and can no longer be activated.

I removed the app and reinstalled with same issue happening.

Thought they would have worked through these issues. Will be interesting to see what bugs show up on the cab3 side.

@BAM Railroad I was able to recreate your problem with a 14 pro max & an iPhone SE

I really think the CAB3 needs something other than an upward swipe to change screens.  It's actually way too easy to swipe up to full throttle when trying to change screens!  I'd like to see a simple arrow to flip screens.

I did try the CAB3 on an old Samsung Galaxy Note 4 with Android 6, and it worked fine.  That's one step up from the Lionchief app, it crashed and burned on the same Note 4 phone.

I don't think Lionel is under any fantasy to think they won't be squashing bugs for a while.  They only have access to so many types of devices, resources for testing, and real world experience is always different than testing in a controlled environment. Right now IMO the BT seems to be an improvement of the LC app despite some of the issues.

I would suggest we comment on what we find and let them sort out the issues.

I would also suggest checking to make sure the app you are using is the most up to date version and include that information as well as the device type you are using, engine w/ product number, and any other perinate information to help the process.

The more information you can provide the quicker a solution can be made.

Downloaded the App update this AM.  Bluetooth mode issues:

The horn button stayed on (blue color) with continuous sound during the first run.  Had to disconnect the engine to turn it off.  I have not been able to repeat this during limited testing, but will load up WiFi monitoring program to see what cmds are being sent when I resume operating.

The Bluetooth disconnect  button does not dim after disconnect.  Have to go to the home screen and back to reset the button dim state.